Transport frozen mother's milk by plane
What's the best way to transport multiple bags (~40 bags) of frozen mother's milk by air within the US?
By best, I mean: a way to transport it without damaging the milk or pissing off the TSA. It's for a ~2 hour flight, + 3 hours on both ends for travel to/from the airport. It can go in cargo/check-in, but I would rather carry it with me
Best Answer
It's actually perfectly common and relatively normal to transport breast milk on a plane.
So common, in fact, that the TSA has their own page on how to do it.
The key points:
Parents flying with, and without, their child(ren) are permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is presented for inspection at the security checkpoint.
Our Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) items for explosives. Officers may also ask you to open the container during the screening process.
Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag. Let Officers at the security checkpoint know you have these items. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray.
You are encouraged to travel with only as much formula, breast milk, or juice in your carry-on needed to reach your destination.
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Quick Answer about "Transport frozen mother's milk by plane"
- Line the inside of the bag with aluminum foil. ...
- Pack the breast milk bags tight. ...
- Use ice packs throughout the bag. ...
- Pack the cooler bag completely full (if possible) ...
- Label the outside of the bag for TSA. ...
- Do not open the cooler bag once it is packed.
Can you fly with frozen breast milk?
You're allowed to carry freezer bags, ice packs, and gel packs to keep your breast milk frozen, but they need to be frozen solid. If they're slushy or partially melted, they may be subjected to additional screening. If there's any liquid in them, they're held to the liquid rule of 3.4 ounces or less.How do you keep frozen milk on a plane?
Make sure the cooler is as full as possible. If you don't have enough milk to fill the cooler and don't want to use a ton of ice, consider freezing water in plastic zip-top bags and using that to ensure it's full. Keep the freezer closed and refrain from opening it until you get to your destination.How long can you travel with frozen breast milk?
Can you keep breastmilk frozen during a car trip? Once your baby's breast milk is fully thawed, it needs to be used within 24 hours. So if you have a large amount of stored breast milk that you need to transport that won't be used within the first day of it thawing out, you need to find a way to keep it frozen.How do you travel on a plane with breast milk?
Formula, breast milk, juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.Frozen 2: Elsa and Anna's Parents island are alive?!
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Answer 2
In addition to the other answers and regarding the safety of the frozen milk, you need to keep it frozen so it won't get spoiled, ask the airlines if they can provide some "dry ice" packs for you. It is not allowed to bring it yourself as it is considered to be a "dangerous goods" item, but the airlines can authorize it to be onboard (it is actually avaiable in almost all flights with the meals (if available) in the chillers in case the chillers failed". If they agree to provide it then you will be sure the milk will reach it's destination safely as the dry ice will make the milk frozen for many hours.
Alternative option if you managed to get it onboard, ask the crew to place it in the chillers for you, eventhough it is not allowed per almost all airlines' policies but crew will always understand such cases and try to help :)
P.S. I have first hand experience with this as a cabin crew member.
Answer 3
Use a sturdy suitcase with enough room, fill it with insulating foam, shrink-wrap the bags (so if one leaks, it does not cause a mess) and pad the bags. Then proceed to the airport 12 hours in advance, get to the TSA information and tell them that you want to transport 40 bags of frozen mother's milk by cargo. Sit down and wait for the prolonged interview and meticulous examination of your cargo and pray silently hard that you won't miss your plane.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Алекке Блажин, Алекке Блажин, Francesco Ungaro, Francesco Ungaro